Softbank to sell iPhone for Y23,040

Tuesday 24th June, 07:05 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 33 Total Comments Show All

evil_robot at 05:18 PM JST - 24th June

Does anyone know if it's 3G features will be crippled in order to lock it into Japan-only usage? Also, it doesn't have felica(or whatever other random brand) wireless money functions. That's not going to sit well with everyone in Japan land.
Ninjazilla at 05:24 PM JST - 24th June

Am I the only one who finds having a tv on their Keitai pointless becuz it kills the battery after 5 minutes???Whats the battery life on iphone gonna be like?
GJP2006 at 08:39 PM JST - 24th June

Perhaps I don't understand the rates but I just read that the base rate will be 7,200 per month?? Ouch...I will have to pass on that...
flammenwerfer at 09:50 PM JST - 24th June

Ouch...I will have to pass on that...

I believe thats an unlimited data rate, so its not so ouch if you plan to use it a lot for browsing the net on the train etc. actually thats not too shabby
Pukey2 at 10:44 PM JST - 24th June

I've been waiting a long time to change phones. I currently use Softbank prepaid, and itching to move onto the White Plan. There was this nice model with TV and QWERTY keyboard, but now that iPhone is coming out, I think I just might get it. I've also been waiting for ages to get a replacement MP3 player, and was about to get the 32GB iTouch, but the 16GB iPhone will do nicely - a 2 in 1 gadget. Frankly, who cares whether it will appeal to the Japanese or not if I'm the one who wants it. I just wish it had 1seg, but you can't have everything.

There were rumours earlier this year that iPhone was coming to Japan. I'm glad too I waited and glad Docomo didn't get the deal. I'm just surprised it came so early.

> Actually I think it's going to sell huge in Japan and the way they stock things like this they won't have enough so that will create "THE IMAGE" of more demand.

I hope not. I don't want to be one of those nerds camping out the night before.
Pukey2 at 11:15 PM JST - 24th June

GJP:

Perhaps I don't understand the rates but I just read that the base rate will be 7,200 per month?? Ouch...I will have to pass on that...

I just spoke to a friend and he said something like that too. Apparently, you have to use the unlimited data plan, making a total of 7280 yen (with the white Plan). I have to confirm this, but if it's true, then I sure as hell don't want it either. No wonder the iPhone's cheap.
serindipity at 12:13 AM JST - 25th June

That's great feedback. 70 bucks a month just made my mind up too. I might just have to settle for playing with one at the Apple store.
blvtzpk at 01:17 PM JST - 25th June

Perhaps I don't understand the rates but I just read that the base rate will be 7,200 per month?? Ouch...I will have to pass on that...

Where was this written?

Pukey2: Did you get confirmation of this?

If this is the case, who will pay Y8000 a month to use the phone?
Punts at 02:29 PM JST - 25th June

"- Purchase of iPhone 3G 8GB model at approximately ¥23,000, ¥960/month, and unlimited packet usage at ¥5,985 -" http://www.softbankmobile.co.jp/en/news/press/2008/20080623_01/

I'm getting it because my New Year's resolution was to stop carrying a man purse. Enough with carrying a keitai, an mp3 player, a set of keys, a wallet, coins, breath mints, condoms, sunglasses, a handkerchief, and 5000 peaches around all the time. (smiley face)
blvtzpk at 07:50 PM JST - 25th June

Thanks Punts. The line that has put me off is this:

In addition to the basic price plan iPhone 3G users will be required to subscribe to ‘Packet Flat-rate Full’ and ‘S! Basic Pack (i)’ (¥315/month).

Y980 +

Y5985 +

Y380

=Y7345 per month - and that's abefore one phone call has been made. Ouch. No way.
GJP2006 at 09:29 PM JST - 25th June

Thanks for confirming the info I received. I pay less than 3,000 a month and never surf with my keitai so it's not worth it. I upgraded my old au model today - a bit more per month but nowhere near the 7345 for the iPhone. Looks pretty but useless to me. I will stick with au and my handy iPod.
Pukey2 at 10:57 PM JST - 25th June

Thanks for the link. I just checked both the English and Japanese info on the Softbank homepage (which tends to give info AFTER everything is reported in the newspapers), and asked my friend to double-check the Japanese version. This is not good news. I too am not going to use the phone to surf the internet 24/7. That's why I have broadband at home, and that only costs 2000 yen/month. I don't know who to blame, Apple or Softbank, but paying over 7000 yen per month will more than make up for losses incurred by the low price of the iPhone within a few months. I wonder whether other countries are going to rip-off their customers like this too.

For the moment, I'm going to stick with prepaid (3000 yen for two months) and wait a bit longer until the phone (+1seg) I want gets a little cheaper, and I'll probably buy a 32GB iTouch (you can now get it for less than 50,000 yen).
Pukey2 at 11:04 PM JST - 25th June

woops, I meant iPod Touch, not iTouch.
badmigraine at 11:32 AM JST - 26th June

It's not a bad price for unlimited data, but I have zero need for a data plan in my current lifestyle.

Aren't all 3G iPhones identical hardware/software? Can't I buy an unlocked one somewhere and just put in my current Softbank SIM card?
Punts at 03:31 PM JST - 26th June

I've gotten 3 new phones from a friend that manages a Softbank shop. They give new phones to employees but they have to return them when they quit, and those cannot be resold. There's no unlocking necessary. All I ever do is jam my old SIM card in the new phone and it works perfectly.

Unfortunately for me, it seems that only the ladies quit working at Softbank shops quickly. So far my only color choices have been pink, purple, white, and light blue. My current light blue 913SH is lovingly referred to by me as my "gaytai".

I can't imagine there being a SIM card in the iPhone but I can see the price of the iPod Touch going down, especially if you check online auctions. My mint condition 8GB will be up for grabs after I get my new phone and I doubt I'll even get close to 20,000 yen for it. [sadface]